Lions put Petersen saga behind them

Gallo ImagesLions coach Geoffrey Toyana is confident the team's captaincy issue has been addressed and the team will now shift its focus to reviving its domestic T20 campaign. Photo by: Lee Warren

Johannesburg – Lions coach Geoffrey Toyana is confident the team's captaincy issue has been addressed and the team will now shift its focus to reviving its domestic T20 campaign ahead of Wednesday's game against the Cape Cobras at Boland Park in Paarl.

On Sunday the Lions were rocked by Alviro Petersen's resignation ahead of a match against the Knights, which the Lions went on to lose by nine wickets.

Thami Tsolekile has taken the reins for the rest of the competition, in which the Lions have lost both of their first two games, and Toyana believed the players were now looking to the future.

“It has been quite disruptive with Alviro stepping down but we're all professionals so we need to move on,” Toyana said on Tuesday.

“We know that it's been a difficult season and we haven't played good cricket so it's time we turned the corner.

“This is a very important game for us because it could basically keep us alive in the competition.”

The Lions travel with the same squad which played in Bloemfontein last weekend.

The Cobras, meanwhile had rested Graeme Smith for the win over the Warriors as a precaution after Smith suffered a mildly stiff back, and also left Richard Levi out of a line-up full of international stars and young talent.

Cobras captain Justin Ontong admitted selection meetings were becoming difficult as they had to decide which players to leave out of the team.

“We're very fortunate to have players of such a high calibre, and they're all match-winners and that's what you need in this format,” Ontong said.

“The squad understands that when it comes to selection, it could be difficult explaining it to the guys who are left out.”

Vernon Philander was back among the bowlers and a call on the final team which be made on Wednesday.

However, Ontong said previous records would be taken into account, and Levi's excellent record at Boland Park would probably see the opener return.

Justin Kemp would sit out the match as he awaited the birth of his child, although he was expected to be back in action over the weekend. – Sapa

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